Advice on reloading press kit for beginner

[Lineman North Florida]

I am wanting to buy a reloading press kit and start reloading my own ammunition, so I would like some advice and or recommendations on the best press kit to purchase for a beginner, and when I say beginner I mean I know virtually nothing about reloading. Thanks in advance for any information that you can provide. Charlie.

 

[EarPlug]

First question - Rifle, Pistol or Shotgun? What caliber's and how many rounds?

 

[Jstpssng]

They're almost as scarce as ammo right now, but it's a good time to start looking. I'm about as knowledgeable as you are, and just picked up a Lee set from Midwest Top 5 Reloading Kits for Beginners | Single Stage Press Kits | MidwayUSA, but have been told the RCBS would have been a better choice.

This Field and Stream article How to Get Started Reloading Today | Field & Stream gives a good overview on getting started.

 

[GaryM]

Buy a reloading manual. Hornady or Speer are good ones. There are others as well.

 

[CalG]

I have no objections with the Lee press. I think it cost about $80 ... "a few years ago".
I only reload two rifle rounds, so no need for "quick change over" or high volume. 40 rounds will wear me out at the range or field.

A quick look at Brownells suggests that equipment availability is suffering from the plandemic. (I like Midway better, but didn't check stock for you.

Get a simple bench mounted press, They are all good! and the dies for a single round. build from there.

 

[beckmurph]

I vote Dillon 550.
It is a progressive.
Easily set up.
Tool heads are easily changed.
I have had mine 25 years.
Lifetime warranty.

But, reloading supplies are very hard to find right now.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

First question - Rifle, Pistol or Shotgun? What caliber's and how many rounds?

I will want to reload rifle and pistol ammo, 243,270, 30-06, 6.5 creedmor, 38 special, 9mm and 40 caliber, I am not sure on how many rounds.

 

[MF RED in MT]

I am wanting to buy a reloading press kit and start reloading my own ammunition, so I would like some advice and or recommendations on the best press kit to purchase for a beginner, and when I say beginner I mean I know virtually nothing about reloading. Thanks in advance for any information that you can provide. Charlie.

First you'll have to make a decision whether you are going to reload using a single stage, turret, or progressive press for your needs.

Then I would suggest that you begin to watch a lot of different videos on reloading from the manufacturers/vendors websites and also you tube.

Be sure to read the comments on you tube about each video that can give you an indicator of the video's being good to poor.

Another site is AR15.com, armory, reloading, that has some information also that you can read.

If you explain in more detail in this thread as to what your goals are, I'm sure you will get good information here also.

Good luck,

KC

F.Y.I. I started reloading about 56 years ago with a RCBS RockChucker single stage press, using a beam scale, and casting my own lead bullets for .357 mag. & .44 Mag. Attention to detail of your reloading operation is critical throughout the complete process for "safety".

 

[k0ua]

I vote Dillon 550.
It is a progressive.
Easily set up.
Tool heads are easily changed.
I have had mine 25 years.
Lifetime warranty.

But, reloading supplies are very hard to find right now.

Another Dillon 550 owner and user here. Go big or go home

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...eload-some-ammo.html?highlight=load+some+ammo

 

[MF RED in MT]

I will want to reload rifle and pistol ammo, 243,270, 30-06, 6.5 creedmor, 38 special, 9mm and 40 caliber, I am not sure on how many rounds.

I would suggest beginning with 1 only of your pistol cartridges and sticking with it until you get proficient and comfortable with reloading.

KC

edit: like the 38 special, straight case and no need to lube for sizing, and using a powder similar to 2400 where a visual check is easy to see a good charge and almost impossible to get a hot charge just by looking at all of the cases sitting in a loading block with the powder in them using a good small flashlight.

 

[Jstpssng]

In my case I have a friend who has been reloading for decades, and he suggested that I spend some time on his press with him before going further. He says that it never saved him any money but sure did let him shoot a lot more.

I went with a single stage press because I don't have a clue what I'm doing and it seems like starting simple is best... plus it's what my wallet said I should do.

 

[Topzide]

You would be amazed by how many rounds you can due with a single stage press. That's how I started out then upgraded to a progressive. Still have and regularly use the single stage. The single stage allows you to work up a round to your liking, then daily in the other and crank out the rounds. Like others have mentioned, purchase a reloading book first. You won't save money reloading, but the accuracy saves you money! You can make the round for the need, plus it's a relaxing hobby for me. Good luck with your endeavor.

 

[MF RED in MT]

And don't forget about a beginner reloading DVD video/s that you can watch over and over.

Here's a link to 1 (suggest you research as many as you can before deciding on 1):

KC

Brownells

 

[bigtiller]

If you lived closer I would make you a sweetheart deal on about 30 pounds of stuff for a rockchucker RCBS reloading 9, 38, 357, 45 colt, 308 mag, 30.06 and maybe some I forgot.

 

[beckmurph]

This little reloader is what Dad started with in the ‘60s.

We loaded 270 and 30.06.
Very basic, but affordable.

We used IMR4064 mainly, and some IMR4350.

 

[dodge man]

I’ve owned a Dillon 550 for about 25 years. I don’t think it’s any harder to learn on a progressive than a single stage. It’s doing the same thing, just all the steps at one pull of the handle.

 

[k0ua]

I’ve owned a Dillon 550 for about 25 years. I don’t think it’s any harder to learn on a progressive than a single stage. It’s doing the same thing, just all the steps at one pull of the handle.View attachment 678455

Agreed. If you can afford a good progressive press, I would advise to get one. You can always load one operation at a time just as with a single stage press if you want to really slow down and watch every operation. Nothing to prevent it, just put one case in at a time at position 1 and cycle it around until it drops into the cartridge box. Of course I had a single stage press at one time, but all of that screwing in dies and adjusting each time was just a pain in the ..... Of course the Hornady Lock n Load solved that. If you want a single stage press get a single stage press, but there is NOTHING wrong starting with a progressive press like the Dillon 550 or any number of its competitors'. You are still in control of everything, nothing is going to "get away from you".

 

[Teachu2]

I started in 1980 with a used RCBS Rockchucker setup. Excellent way to learn, do load development, and produce excellent ammo for getting the most out of your rifle. If you are shooting handguns in quantity, you will want a progressive press. I started with a Dillon, but lost it in a spectacular fire. When I was able to replace it, I went with a Hornady Lock N Load auto progressive. Wholesale Hunter on Amazon is about $500 cheaper on it, delivery in January.

I prefer a single stage press for rifle, and a progressive for handgun, but as my time has become more valuable I have done very little reloading. This particular panic has extended to reloading supplies, negating that advantage. Back before California instituted the ammo transfer requirement, the wife and I decided to stock up on ammo. We looked at what we typically shot per year, and targeted ten years worth as our goal. Prices a couple of years ago were very low, availability was excellent, and the UPS driver came to hate us. Poor guy had five cases of 9mm and three of 45acp in our largest single shipment. In 18 months of buying, we reached our goal.

Watch the videos on YouTube. Realize that cases have to be collected and prepped, and prepping takes more equipment, space, and time. Back when I was shooting a Colt 45acp competitively on a very tight budget, that Dillon was doing a couple thousand rounds a month, at a third of the cost of new factory ammo, and the rounds were tailored to my gun and the task at hand. The Colt was kind to the brass, no dings or bulges, and low enough pressure to get 8-10 reloads out of the brass. And my time was cheap. Now, 40 years later, my volume is down, my Glocks mangle the brass, I can't reload the ammo I have on hand for what it cost me, and I have plenty of other things to do with my time. Given all that, my progressive press is not currently on the bench. One of my Rockchuckers is, and I can do everything I desire with that. If I were buying a new setup today, it would be a single stage press with quick-change die bushings, and an electronic powder dispenser. Either the RCBS Rockchucker or the Hornady LNL Classic would be my likely choice. Hornady sells bushings for the RCBS press.

 

[mbohuntr]

I started in 1980 with a used RCBS Rockchucker setup. Excellent way to learn, do load development, and produce excellent ammo for getting the most out of your rifle. If you are shooting handguns in quantity, you will want a progressive press. I started with a Dillon, but lost it in a spectacular fire. When I was able to replace it, I went with a Hornady Lock N Load auto progressive. Wholesale Hunter on Amazon is about $500 cheaper on it, delivery in January.

I prefer a single stage press for rifle, and a progressive for handgun, but as my time has become more valuable I have done very little reloading. This particular panic has extended to reloading supplies, negating that advantage. Back before California instituted the ammo transfer requirement, the wife and I decided to stock up on ammo. We looked at what we typically shot per year, and targeted ten years worth as our goal. Prices a couple of years ago were very low, availability was excellent, and the UPS driver came to hate us. Poor guy had five cases of 9mm and three of 45acp in our largest single shipment. In 18 months of buying, we reached our goal.

Watch the videos on YouTube. Realize that cases have to be collected and prepped, and prepping takes more equipment, space, and time. Back when I was shooting a Colt 45acp competitively on a very tight budget, that Dillon was doing a couple thousand rounds a month, at a third of the cost of new factory ammo, and the rounds were tailored to my gun and the task at hand. The Colt was kind to the brass, no dings or bulges, and low enough pressure to get 8-10 reloads out of the brass. And my time was cheap. Now, 40 years later, my volume is down, my Glocks mangle the brass, I can't reload the ammo I have on hand for what it cost me, and I have plenty of other things to do with my time. Given all that, my progressive press is not currently on the bench. One of my Rockchuckers is, and I can do everything I desire with that. If I were buying a new setup today, it would be a single stage press with quick-change die bushings, and an electronic powder dispenser. Either the RCBS Rockchucker or the Hornady LNL Classic would be my likely choice. Hornady sells bushings for the RCBS press.

I have the classic with the quick change bushings.. I recommend only one caliber and powder on the bench at a time for safety, Become methodical in your methods, and keep accurate notes. I also perform ladder testing to develop very accurate bench loads for your specific rifle.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

If you lived closer I would make you a sweetheart deal on about 30 pounds of stuff for a rockchucker RCBS reloading 9, 38, 357, 45 colt, 308 mag, 30.06 and maybe some I forgot.

I wish I was to , because a sweetheart deals are few and far between, and just maybe I could pick up a few tips , I have read about the Rockchuker and most seem to really like it.